Security device

• US 5,021,779 A
• Filed: 04/27/1989
• Issued: 06/04/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terence Joseph Smyth
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Dunn, Michael Bisak, Walter Cole
• Inventors: Bisak, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US07/344,555
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 340/538, 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 340/825.06-825.34, 340/825.36, 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 340/524, 340/539, 340/505, 340/506, 340/518, 340/825.69 , 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 340/12.55
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/06 using power transmission lines

Abstract

A security device for an electrical appliance which derives input from an electrically connected external source, the device comprising a receiver-decoder which is adapted and arranged to allow the appliance to operate in its normal mode when the receiver-decoder receives a predetermined code carried via the external source and not to allow the appliance to operate in its normal mode when the predetermined code is not received.

Claims

1. A security device for electrical appliances, each said appliance deriving input from an external source electrically connected to said electrical appliance by a conductor, said security device comprising:

encoder-transmitter including

input means for receiving and storing a predetermined security code;

encoding means for scanning said input means to find said stored code, and upon finding said code, receiving and encoding said code to a suitable data signal;

modulating means for receiving and mixing said data signal onto a modulated carrier for continuous transmission; and

transmitting means for continuously transmitting said modulated carrier on the conductor;

at least one receiver-decoder coupled to said electrical appliance, said receiver-decoder including receiving means connected to the conductor for continuously receiving said modulated carrier;

demodulating means for reconverting said modulated carrier to the data signal by demodulating said data signal out of said modulated carrier;

decoding means for receiving said data signal and comparing said data signal to a normal mode code so as to indicate at least one of the following (a) said data signal matches said normal mode code, (b) said data signal is different than said normal mode code, or (c) said data signal is missing from said modulated carrier; and

said modulating means comprises;

a fixed frequency oscillator for providing a frequency for said carrier;

a variable frequency oscillator for providing a frequency associated with the conductor; and

a mixer connected to both oscillators for mixing said two frequencies and for generating said modulated carrier.

2. A security device as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiver-decoder is physically located within as an integral part of each said electrical appliance.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an alarm means within each said electrical appliance, whereby the alarm means is actuated when the predetermined security code is not received by said receiver-decoder.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external source is an electricity power supply, and said conductor is a power cable connecting each said electrical appliance to said electricity power supply.

5. A security device as recited in claim 1, wherein said input means comprises:

a keyboard for entering said predetermined security code;

memory means connected to said keyboard for storing said predetermined security code; and

switch means connected to said security device for switching ON and OFF said security device.

6. A security device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means comprises:

buffer means connected to said mixer for amplifying said modulated carrier;

a low pass filter connected to said buffer means for removing any undesirable noise from said modulated carrier; and

isolating means connected to said low pass filter and to the connector for allowing certain signals to pass through without attenuation and for matching an encoder-transmitter impedance to a conductor impedance.

7. A security device as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmitting means further comprises:

a power supply for matching a conductor voltage to an encoder-transmitter voltage; and

battery means having a battery for powering said encoder-transmitter during power failure.

8. A security device as recited in claim 1, wherein said encoder-transmitter is a plugpack for connecting to a power point in a building.

9. A security device as recited in claim 1, comprising:

alarm means for receiving said indicated comparison from said decoding means and for preventing said electrical appliance from operating when either one of the following comparisons occurs;

(1) said data signal is different than said normal mode code, or (2) said data signal is missing from said modulated carrier.

10. A security device as recited in claim 9, wherein said alarm means is an audio alarm which activates when said non-occurrence of said match is indicated.

11. A security device as recited in claim 9, wherein said alarm means is an automatic paging device which activates when said non-occurrence of said match is indicated.

12. A security device for electrical appliances, each said appliance deriving input from an external source electrically connected to said electrical appliance by a conductor, said security device comprising:

encoder-transmitter including

input means for receiving and storing a predetermined security code;

encoding means for scanning said input means to find said stored code and, upon finding said code, receiving and encoding said code to a suitable signal;

modulating means for receiving and mixing said data signal onto a modulated carrier for continuous transmission; and

transmitting means for continuously transmitting said modulated carrier on the conductor;

at least one receiver-decoder coupled to said electrical appliance, said receiver-decoder including

receiving means connected to the conductor for continuously receiving said modulated carrier;

demodulating means for reconverting said modulated carrier to said data signal by demodulating said data signal out of said modulated carrier;

decoding means for receiving said data signal and comparing said data signal to a normal mode code so as to indicate at least one of the following (a) said data signal matches said normal mode code, (b) said data signal is different than said normal mode code, or (c) said data signal is missing from said modulated carrier; and

said receiving means comprises;

isolating means for passing said modulated carrier while blocking power also associated with the conductor;

transformer means connected to said isolating means for isolating power conductors;

a low pass filter connected to said transformer for attenuating all signals above a predetermined frequency; and

a band pass filter for removing undesired noise from said modulated carrier.